Thank you for all you are doing to respond to the needs of Brother Knights in the areas ravaged by Hurricane Harvey. The need is great and will continue to grow as we make contact with more councils and Knights and discover the extent of damage borne by our brothers. We must respond to provide timely relief. Here are the expedited procedures for the following three categories of need scenarios:

. Councils feeding evacuees and response workers = 100% of reasonable costs will be reimbursed. The amount of any request is determined by the size of the effort – the number of persons fed and how often. Expendable cleaning supplies (like trash bags, disinfectant, mops, etc.) may also be included in this request.

A council will provide a written request on Food-Supplies Form 9-17 to the Regional Emergency Response Coordinator (ERC) who will validate the circumstances and once assured of the request’s validity, will forward to the State ERC (Harry Storey) for concurrence. Once approved, the State Deputy will instruct the State Staff to transmit the funds by electronic funds transfer or similar rapid reliable method.

Also, Supreme is working to set up an account with a food vendor (like SYSCO) to allow councils to order food directly. When this is completed, the same process will be followed to approve the online order requests before the food will be released or delivered to the council. More on this option when available.

Individual Knights with personal needs due to displacement from damage or flooding to their residence = individual Knights will receive $100 cash card provided by Supreme after filling out a simple request and receipt on Form EMR 9-17.

Regional ERCs and the state office staff will have a supply of the cash cards and the request forms, and ERCs will have each Knight complete a form before delivering or mailing a card.

Individual Knights with damages to home and property will provide a written request to the Regional Emergency Response Coordinator (ERC) who will validate the circumstances and once assured of the request’s validity, will forward to the State ERC (Harry Storey) for concurrence. Once concurred, the State ERC will forward to the State Deputy for approval. Once approved, the State Staff will contact the requestor and convey the funds by electronic transfer if possible.

Such individual requests may not exceed the actual need up to $1,500. The source of funds for this type of request is both from Supreme and State level donations received for general disaster relief purposes.